Spring shackle



Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DELMAB G. 3008, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STUDEBAKER COR- PORA'IION, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA SPRING SHACKLE Application filed November 11, 1927. Serial No. 232,587.

This invention relates to vehicle springs and more particularly to means for shackling the springs to the vehicle frame.

Heretofore, shackle pins connecting the ends of the vehicle springs to the vehicle position,-the shackle links contact with one side or the other of the spring and produce squeakin'g noises as the springs flex due to irregularities in the road. It is therefore, the principal object of the invention to provide a spring shackle with positive means for anchoring the shackle pin against movement transversely of the vehicle spring in order tohold the shackle links in spaced relationship relative to the sides of the vehicle spring to prevent frictional engagement therebetween.

Another object is to provide a vehicle spring shackle with a shackle pin having circumferential grooves adjacent the sides of the vehicle spring, semi-circular keys in ,the grooves abutting against the-sides of the vehicle spring, and means for holding the keys in the grooves whereby the shackle pin is anchored against longitudinal movement to'prevent frictional engagement between .the shackle links and the sides of the vehicle spring.

' A further object is to a provide a spring shackle pin with circumferential grooves near its ends adjacent the sides of the vehicle spring through which it projects, a pair of semi-circular keys in each groove abutting against the sides of the spring, and a spring ringadapted to clamp the keys in the grooves, whereby the shackle pin is held against movement transversely of the spring to prevent rubbing contact between the shackle links and the sides of the spring.

These being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in view. a

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a suitable embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a spring shackle connecting a spring to the vehicle frame.

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 more clear ly showing the shackle construction.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of one of the key retainers.

Figure 5 is a modified form of key retainer before the same is clamped around the keys.

Figure 6 is an elevation showing the modified key retainer in section, the same being clamped around the keys.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, in-which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, the vehicle frame side rail 10 is provided with the usual depending spring hanger 11 suitably secured thereto by rivets 12. The hanger 11 is formed with a circular op'ening13 at its lower end which receives the upper shackle pin 14:. The ends of the pin 14: project past the sides of the spring hanger 11 and each is formed with a circumferential groove 15 of semicircular shape adjacent each side of the spring hanger 11. A ring composed of two semi-circular wire keys 16 are positioned in each groove 15 to abut against the sides of the hanger 11 and are held therein by a locking ring 17. The locking ring 17 is made from spring metal having, as shown in Figure 4, a web 18 surrounding the pin 14:. The marginal edge of the web 18 is flanged over to conform to the contour of the keys 16 and the radius 1' from the center to the marginal edge thereof is slightly less than the greatest radius of the wire keys 16 so that the locking ring 17 may be snapped over the keys 16 to hold the same in place. A plurality of slots 19 are formed in the key engaging portion of the ring 17 so that the metal is more flexible in order to allow the same to be snapped over the keys 16 more easily. The keys 1? project ceives the lower shackle'pin 23. Thispin 23 is held against longitudinal movement in the spring eye 22 by'the same means used for the upper shackle pin 14, and as the same is identical, will not be described. I

The ends of the shackle pins 14 and 23 are connected by a pair of oppositely disposed links 25 which are cup-shaped at their ends 26'to receive hardened steel cup-shaped ball races 27 When the shackles are assembled,

a plurality of ball bearings are" arranged within the ball races '27 to seat upon the curved bearing surfaces 20 of the pins 14 and 23 in order to carry all the load of the vehicle. Grease retainers comprising felt rings'29 surrounded by metallic casings 30, surround the pins14 and 23 and nest within the ball races 27 to prevent the lubricant within the ball races from leaking out.

The links 25 are held in the correctly spaced position by a spacer tube 31 having a bolt 32 extending therethrough. A nut 33 threaded on the end of the bolt 32 draws the links 25 firmly against the endsof the spacer tube 31. In this position the ends 26 or the'links v 25 are held spaced from the sides so that there is no possibility of frictional engagement bet-ween the same. 7

Figures 5-and 6 show-a modified formof holding the wire keys 16 in place in the grooves 15 of the shackle pin 14. This means consist of an annular washer 35, having the shape shown in Figure 5, slipped over the end of the pin 14 and positioned adjacent the groove 15. The semi-circular keys 16 are positioned in the groove 15 and then'the 'marginal edge of the washer 35 is crimped so that it completely conceals the keys 16 and provides a permanent retaining means therefor. I c

It is preferable when the shackle is assembled, that the shackle pins be inserted in the openings 13 and 22 with a press fit so that they are substantially non-rotatable to eliminate any possible squeaks.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that the disadvantages of squeaking of a spring shackle are overcome in the present invention by anchoring the shackle pins against relative movement and holding the shackle links in spaced relationship relative to the sides of the springhanger and vehicle 1. In a shackle for connecting, a vehicle spring. It is also evidentithat a new and novel means is provided foranchoring the shackle pins.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing fronr the spirit and substance of the broad invention, the

scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is:

s orin to a frame s rin han er shackle ins b i D 7 extending through said spring and said 7 spring hanger, said pins being provided with circumferential grooves ad acent the sldes of said sprlng hanger and sprlng, a pair ofc'omplementary links pivotally connecting the ends of said pins, said links being spaced from thesidesof said hanger and spring, a I

plurality of, curved keys positioned in said grooves, and clamping means for holding said keys in said grooves, said'keysanchoring said shackle pins against longitudinal movement to restrain said links from frictional engagement with the sides of said hanger and spring.

2." In ashacklefor connecting a vehicle spring to a frame spring hanger, shackle pins extending through said spring hanger and spring, said pins being provided with'circumferential grooves, ad acent the" sides of said spring hanger and spring, a pair of comple- I mentary links connecting the ends ofsaid pins, said links being spaced fromthe sides ofsaid hangerand spring, a plurality of curvedkeys positioned in-said grooves and locking means for rholding said keys in said grooves comprising flexible annular rings having flanges engaging said keys, said keys anchoring said shackle pins against longi tudinal movement to hold said links inf spaced relationshipg relative to the sides" of said hanger and spring;

3'. In a shackle spring to a framespring hanger,ishackle pins extending through said spring hanger and spring, said pins being provided with circumferential grooves adjacent the sides of said springhanger and spring,a pair of complementary linksconnecting the ends of said pins, said links being spaced from thesides of said hanger and spring, plurality of curvedwirekeys positioned in said grooves,

and locking means for holding said keys in said I grooves comprising flexible annular rings having flanges contoured to the shape of said keys engaging said keys, said flanges being slotted to increase thefiexibilitythereof, said keys anchoring said shackle pins against movement transversely of said spring hanger and spring to hold said links in spaced relationship relative to the sides 1 of said spring hanger andspring p 4. In a shackle for, connecting avehicle for connecting a vehicle spring to a frame spring hanger, shackle pins i extending through said spring hanger and spring, said pins being provided with circumferential grooves adjacent the sides of said spring hanger and spring, a pair of complementary links connecting the ends of said pins, said links being spaced from the sides of said hanger and spring, a plurality of curved Wire keys positioned in each of said grooves, and annular metallic rings for holding said keys in said grooves, said rings having flanges adapted to snap over said keys to conceal the same.

5. In a shackle for connecting a vehicle spring to a frame spring hanger, shackle pins extending through said spring and said springhanger having circumferential grooves adjacent the sides of said spring hanger and spring, said pins being provided with circumferential curved bearing surfaces formed at the intersection of the cylindrical surfaces and end faces thereof, thrust bearings carried by said curved bearing surfaces, a pair of links contacting with said bearings at the ends of said pins, said links being spaced from the sides of said hanger and spring, a plurality of curved Wire keys positioned in each of said grooves, and locking means for holding said keys in said grooves comprising annular metallic rings adjacent said grooves having flanges bent over said keys to conceal the same, said keys anchoring said shackle pins against longitudinal movement to hold said links in spaced relationship relative to the sides of said hanger and spring. Signed by me at South Bend, Indiana, this 7th day of November, 1927.

DELMAR G. ROOS. 

